EASY RASPBERRY CREAM CHEESE DANISH/COFFEE CAKE/PIE

Steps:

• 1. *Please Note: Prep time does not include defrosting dough or rise times. Night before, place frozen bread loaf in a large ziplock bag with the inside of the bag sprayed with Pam. Place in fridge overnight.
• 2. Mix softened cream cheese, vanilla and powdered sugar with hand mixer until light and fluffy. Set aside.
• 3. Roll out bread dough between 2 pieces of lightly sprayed parchment paper to form a 12x16 rectangle. Remove top parchment leaving bottom parchment in place. (By leaving this, I have found it is much easier to get it transferred to the cookie sheet.) Cover loosely with plastic wrap lightly sprayed with Pam and let rest for 10-15 minutes.
• 4. Remove plastic wrap. On long sides, slice dough every 1 1/2" toward center leaving 5" wide center area uncut. (see photo) Spread raspberry filling in a 4" strip down center of dough leaving 1/2" plain before reaching side cuts. Also leave 1 1/2" at either end plain. Dot with cream cheese mixture.
• 5. Fold short ends over filling at either end. Then, alternating sides, fold strips over top of dough at slight angle. (see photo) Transfer pastry on parchment paper to cookie sheet. Cover loosely with sprayed plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
• 6. Remove plastic wrap and bake at 350 degrees for 18-25 minutes. Tent loosely if browning too quickly. (I use a very hot gas oven and oven temps vary, so watch closely.)
• 7. When done, remove from oven. Brush with a little melted butter. Microwave canned frosting until thinned. Drizzle desired amount over pastry. Sprinkle with chopped nuts, if desired. ( I find that this type of frosting works just as well as homemade powdered sugar glaze, setting up beautifully.)
• 8. Serving Suggestion: Cut into 1 1/2-2" strips. Drizzle pastry and plate with additional glaze, powdered sugar and/or a little thinned raspberry jam warmed in microwave. (see pics)